Is there such a time as this? We really live in a most extraordinary time. Who needs to sit on the front porch any longer to pass the time of day, when there are tablets, smartphones and every other digital and electronic device to bring the world to our feet? That includes businesses as well. If you’ve been thinking about starting a business in 2018, there’s no time like today.
If you have a good idea for an online business, don’t let anyone talk you out of it. Even the media will try to make it look as if everything has been done already, so don’t bother. But, there is opportunity all around you; all you have to do is decide how you’re going to bring it to the world.
Retail businesses are predicted to grow between 3.7 to 4.2 percent, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF). They also say non-store sales will grow three to four times that rate. So, there’s opportunity for everyone. It’s because of the Internet and smartphones that online business is exploding; most of all in the smartphone market.
Why not jump on board with your own online business? Because it’s the internet, you can start a business today with limited resources or practically no money at all. You will want to get certain things taken care of, such as the legal and financial aspects of your business, but that happens with any business you’re opening.
Here are 3 online business ideas to start in 2018. Each one is being done by many others, but there’s always room for more. Read on to decide if one of these ideas is a good fit for you.
Wedding / Party / Events Planner
Do you have a talent for being organized? Are you the one everyone at work comes to when there’s a big party to plan? Are you not satisfied until every little detail is in place? If so, you just might have what it takes to be the wedding/party/events planner of your dreams.
Weddings and events are big deals, and there’s big money involved, and the pressure is always on. With people already involved in their day-to-day routines, they find it hard to find the time to put things like weddings and events together successfully. That’s where you come in.
Couples and companies are always looking for someone to make their events special and unforgettable. Your job tasks will be as big or small as the event; some things you’ll be overseeing include:
- Working with vendors to provide services
- Coordinate transportation, catering, and other on-site services
- Meet with those involved to determine what they are hoping to achieve
- Put out bids to all outsourced vendors
- Monitor each facet of the wedding or event as it moves closer to the actual day
- Have the coolest head in town to deal with last-minute emergencies
and that’s just for starters.
Wedding and event planners can start their business with just a few thousand dollars. You don’t need any special certification, but it’s out there if you choose. The Association for Certified Professional Wedding Consultants (ACPWC) has three tiers of certification for you to choose from. For events, usually a bachelor’s degree will suffice; or you can take it further with hospitality or public relations certifications.
You can easily charge anywhere from $10 to $150 per hour for your services. Or you could do a 10 to 20 percent of the total amount of the event itself. Either way, put your talent to work!
Be an Amazon Seller
There is nothing so big in this world as Amazon. You’ve probably bought from them, too, when ordering from Amazon; those third-party sellers. Why not become one yourself?
Let’s face it, you won’t have to worry about where your traffic is coming from, or who will be seeing what you sell. You even have your very own Seller Central dashboard to keep track of everything.
How do you decide what to sell? Think about those items which interest you and choose Amazon categories which are in high demand. You can sell just about anything; there’s healthcare, jewelry, beauty, electronics, household items and more.
Become a Fulfillment by Amazon seller. This means Amazon handles all shipping, delivery, returns, exchanges and everything else. Amazon will take you in hand and give you all the information and tools you need to get you going, but it will be up to you to become a successful Amazon seller. As with any business, you still need to market yourself. You can do it; through social media, emails, forums and even your own website. With your knowledge and passion, that’s the easy part!
Box Subscription Business
Have your ordered razor blades online? Or perhaps tried one of those numerous made-for-you dinners that all you do is cook? Ordering subscriptions is nothing new, but because of the internet, this type of enterprise is exploding all over the place. Just think Dollar Shave Club or Blue Apron; then think about what you could market in a box.
In 2016, there were over 21 million box subscription websites, and that number increased by 3000 percent in a mere three years. Here’s something to keep in mind, the typical box subscription visitor is someone in their forties who makes almost $80,000 per year.
What is your great idea? Research your potential, then put together a prototype for a pre-launch. Begin your pre-sale campaign, ship your boxes, then grow your company. I know it’s not as easy as all that, yet it follows those prompts to success. You’ll find websites such as CrateJoy.com that connect potential subscribers to box subscription businesses like yours, to make things just a little easier.
There are so many possibilities out there for you to think about, for whatever online business you decide on. Online businesses operate just like brick-and-mortar ones in that you have to work hard to see it rise to the top. With the internet, you’ve got the world at your door. What’s inside?!